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Posted by: Kristofer Dahl May 3 2010, 01:32 PM

Hi guys,

I have been looking for a humbucker guitar with the possibilities of "splitting" into single coils. I think I may have found what could be my next guitar - would be interesting to hear what you guys think:

http://www.steinberger.com/ZT3.html

Pros:

* graphite fretboard and stainless steel frets - this is what makes my Parker so incredibly easy to play

* transtrem - be able to change tunings instantenoulsy or use the whammy bar to transpose your chords. No other tremolo does this. It means you can instantly downtune to D, play all your Am pentatonic licks at the 7th position while bending (etc) has become incredibly easy. It also means that if you are playing in a power trio you could do heavy riffing in D and then instantaneously go back to standard tuning to play melodies/solos.

* double ball strings for extremely stable tuning and ease of changing strings

* headless design - I had a steinberger Spirit GT-pro and this does wonder to the sound and balance of the guitar.

* Price - 1500usd doesn't seem that much considering it's a top of the line guitar.

Cons:

* I would have liked a middle pick up. But who knows maybe it's not necessary with this configuration, I haven't tried it.

* I would have liked neck through instead of bolt on for good access to the high frets, but I understand there are some sound advantages with bolt on (not sure exactly why though).

* Hard to find in Sweden...probably!

For those of you who don't know, Steinberger was about to conquer the world (they had guitarists like Mark Knopfler, Eddie Van halen and Allan Holdsworth)

I'd love to get an opinion from all GMC gear heads on this guitar!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tamQfSI9rVQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRoNl7397FU

Posted by: Berglmir May 3 2010, 01:57 PM

Well, well well.....I have never played one but had a strange fascination with those steinberger guitars since I saw THIS:


Unfortunately I find the presentation videos found on youTube quite spooky!



I say GO FOR IT and we would expect an extensive review!

Posted by: purple hayes May 3 2010, 01:59 PM

I had no idea the trans-trem existed. Nice idea. Too bad there are no local Steinberger dealers around me.

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl May 3 2010, 02:04 PM

Hehe that older guy is the founder of the company. But yes I agree - for some reason it seems they have been given a minimalistic marketing budget from Gibson!

Posted by: Berglmir May 3 2010, 02:21 PM

Yes I know! - but until now I don´t really know which of them I find more eerie....

Posted by: The Uncreator May 3 2010, 02:52 PM

The guy that does all the repairs on my guitars has one, I got to play it once and it sounds amazing I think! It has a very clear and bright tonality (I was playing through a random Peavey combo amp in the store), It did feel a bit weird to me cause it weighed about as much as a paperclip but It wasn't too bad. I would like to have one, that much I know.

Posted by: lcsdds May 3 2010, 03:28 PM

I've owned a bunch of steinbergers. I got hooked on graphite necks and that is why my "ibanez" guitars all have graphite necks now..... Not sure if the Transtrem3 is very stable or accurate. I think it is much better than the Transtrem 2 but you would have to do some research for that. Overall I think you would love the Steinberger. Have you thought about buying an older steinberger instead though? I'll bet you would love the graphite neck.

For all things steinberger......

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/steinberger_world/

Andy Yakubik runs this forum and is a great resource for all things steinberger.

Posted by: ItsMe May 3 2010, 03:57 PM

I've seen here once on stage. She doesn't really play much guitar but was cool with her Steinberger

Nice fashion accessory

Just a joke I love Steinbergers and still hate myself because I didn't buy a Steinberger once that was offered to me for really nothing. Wasn't playing much at that time and had no money. still don't play much but would like to have it now

Posted by: Vasilije Vukmirovic May 5 2010, 11:00 AM

I like this guitar, and I would buy it mostly because of that "acoustical" boost!
It's really amazing when that guy turn on that "thing", how warm the sound became.

Posted by: Staffy May 5 2010, 11:50 AM

What I can recall from the 80'ths, they were good instruments, but I just couldn't get it to fit my body, and I also remember that the balance was a litlle weird when You wear it. But I guess that is just a personal matter and what You are used to.

//Staffay

Posted by: NoSkill May 5 2010, 02:33 PM

I've glanced at that ZT3 several times, but have never seen, nor heard one. It would be an interesting guitar, for sure.

Posted by: Adrian Figallo May 5 2010, 04:16 PM

im a really vintage guitar fan, i do not dislike the stein but you know it is not my thing, BUT, my dad is a modern guitar lover, and lately he is speaking a LOT about the transtrem, the graphite neck and all the cool things about steins, having that in mind (my dad got a lot of GREAT guitars), i think it should be an amazing guitar.

Also kris, if you buy this baby it will be a motivation to start making more music, a new guitar is always a great motivation!

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl May 5 2010, 04:27 PM

It's the piezo pickup you are hearing - this feature can be found on many different guitar brands I think. Given your style of playing I think you should run to the nearest guitar store and buy a guitar equiped with piezo right away! =) It would probably be very beneficial to your jazzy sound.



Yes I would very much like to have one of the old transtrem. The new series does not have the same specifications.

By the way - really cool to hear you have graphite necks on your ibanez guitars. I didn't know there were such ibanez, I'd love to try one.



Hehe yes this guitar is certainly not a classic vintage style guitar - al though it probably will be. The old trantrems could survive almost anything (jumping on it, throwing it around etc) so they will live to meet our grandkids! =)



You are right - al though it's an expensive method! Fortunately (or should I say UNfortunately) I have a lot of inspiration, it's just that the average of 45 minutes of music making I get per day makes progress very slow, but I am currently working on a new guitar tune!

Posted by: lcsdds May 5 2010, 05:13 PM

Actually Kris there are no graphite necked Ibanez guitars. I bought the necks as replacement necks. They sound nice and they play great.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic May 5 2010, 05:53 PM

Seems like a modern guitar with great features to me. I haven't tested it, but based on specs I can tell it has ultra fast response and piano-like characteristics in sound. Very precise instrument indeed. I would test the trem system tho, not sure how accurately it behaves.

Posted by: Adrian Figallo May 5 2010, 05:58 PM

i heard the trem is AMAZING, it actually detune the whole thing

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jun 30 2010, 11:24 AM

I just wanted to update this thread with two cool new videos showcasing the guitar!

Posted by: NoSkill Jun 30 2010, 01:54 PM

He shreds the guitar for sure. Interesting features on it for sure.

Posted by: Lian Gerbino Jun 30 2010, 02:39 PM

I don't like Steinberger guitar, but this ZT3 looks cool. the last demo vid is very good, and show a good-looking guitar (that's so important for me, side by side with quality)

the only thing I really hate (yes, it's a hard word but it's true LOL) is the neck... or should I say the Neckless?

but, that's my opinion.

Posted by: Adrian Figallo Jun 30 2010, 04:36 PM

wow, it looks like it plays like a DREAM

Posted by: SirJamsalot Jun 30 2010, 04:55 PM

They say "looks aren't everything", and in every day living I'd agree, but in terms of live performance, looks mean as much as sound. Showmanship is part of the entertainment factor, so with that in mind - in the same way that you wouldn't desire to see Slayer on stage with modified banjos to riff out their metal to fans, you wouldn't want to play one of these on stage, at least not to metal fans - it's just - not a metal-looking guitar.

If you play progressive music, more along the lines of Yes, then I'd say it's an appropriate looking guitar.

Based on what I've seen from the videos, I bet it would make an amazing studio recording guitar tho!

Just my opinion
Christian A.

Posted by: Skewlbuzz Jul 1 2010, 08:28 AM

It looks awesome, I would say go for it!

And tell me where you bought it from Seems only american shops supply Steinberger...

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jul 1 2010, 09:48 AM

This one is for you Lian! (with Emgs and piezo!)





Unfortunately this guitar seems to be impossible to get to Sweden - I assume it's because you can't get any support for it here

Posted by: tonymiro Jul 1 2010, 10:03 AM

Aren't they now part of the Gibson stable? If so then you might be able to get one as a special order direct through Rosetti (or whoever has the Gibson European import rights).

Posted by: Lian Gerbino Jul 1 2010, 03:48 PM

this is far better looks like a BC rich!

Posted by: sted Jul 3 2010, 07:44 AM

Love the trem, hate the lack of headstock though! Does sound good too, would love to see Kris rip one of these babies!

Posted by: Sollesnes Jul 12 2010, 12:32 AM

This thread really gave me GAS for steinbergers, but here they really seem... impossible to get a hold of. Imagine... a 7 string Steinberger

..I guess my new-found-love for Cynic helps my steinberger GAS. xD

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jul 12 2010, 09:41 AM

I know what you are talikning about! These are fantastic instruments - but I am currently looking at a parker fly mojo instead. They are extremely pricey but do pop up used at ebay quite often.